Lions hoping for a preseason win against Patriots

FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2013 file photo, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) warms up prior to a preseason NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland. Stafford hopes he can help the Lions' first-team offense look good Thursday night, Aug. 22, 2013, against the New England Patriots. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)

ALLEN PARK — Two years ago the Detroit Lions cruised past the New England Patriots 34-10 in the third preseason game.

Matthew Stafford was red-hot completing 12 of 14 for 200 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Tight end Tony Scheffler caught one and Nate Burleson the other.

Life was good.

The Lions went on to a 10-6 season and a trip to the playoffs.

“I remember the last time we played them, it was the third preseason game but for us I don’t know it felt like a Super Bowl,’’ Burleson said. “We were excited, willing to step up to the level of competition we know that the Patriots play at.’’

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Could a win against the Patriots on Thursday night at Ford Field propel the Lions into another winning season?

It certainly could not hurt.

No question about it though, the Lions need to play a better game than last week when they lost to the Cleveland Browns. It was more disappointing to them not because they lost, but because there was poor execution on both sides of the ball. In a nutshell, the offense couldn’t find a rhythm and the defense had too many missed tackles.

t’s unclear if wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who has a bruised knee, will play although he said he will. The offense must find a way to score with or without him.

This third preseason game is considered the dress rehearsal for the regular season opener.

The starters will play about a half.

“There have been times where we have said, ‘We’re going to kick into the half.’ Then you got 50 snaps in the first half on offense, well that’s too many,’’ coach Jim Schwartz said. “There are other times where you say, ‘We’re going to shut them down after half.’ Then maybe you only play 20 snaps and that’s not enough. We’ll just play it as the game develops.’’

Another difference is that the game planning for the Patriots has increased over the previous two games.

“There’s a significant amount of more preparation for this game. Not necessarily game plan. We don’t game plan like we would during the regular season, but practice time was devoted towards New England’s offense, defense and special teams last couple of days.”

The big difference, of course, is the opponent.

Facing quarterback Tom Brady, even in the preseason, will present an extra challenge for the defense which is still a work in progress.

“He’s competitive, I’m competitive but that dude is like God on the field,’’ said safety Louis Delmas who hopes to play with his bad knee. “My hat’s down to him, we’re going to go out there and play as hard as we can.’’

Brady has the total respect of all the Lions.

“He’s one of the best to ever do it,’’ Burleson said. “He has the best composure I’ve seen from the era of football I’ve played in back in that pocket. I don’t know how fast he is, I’ve probably seen him run a handful of times in his career. He doesn’t need to, when you sit back there with nerves of steel you can pick apart most defenses.’’

That will be the challenge for the defense. It’s a big one and the timing could not be better for the Lions.

Even a preseason win can bolster confidence especially when it’s against the Patriots, one of the NFL’s best.

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